Candy, pop and water taxes gone Dec. 1

OLYMPIA — Higher taxes on candy, gum, bottled water and pop will soon be gone.

Voters have approved Initiative 1107, which repealed the tax increases approved by the Legislature. On Thursday, the state Department of Revenue said it will notify retailers to stop collecting the sales tax on candy, gum and bottled water after Dec. 1.

The state will also advise bottlers that the last day they will pay an excise tax on carbonated drinks will be Dec. 1. An earlier sales tax on carbonated drinks will remain in place. I-1107 also allows processors of food products that contain meat to pay a lower B&O tax rate.

The state says there was no provision under the initiative for refunds on taxes already paid.